Letters to editor: Aug. 11

In the past 10 years the defense budget has doubled — from $393 billion to $814 billion.

In the same time period corporate profits have almost tripled from $450 billion to $1,400 billion and now stand at record levels.

Income inequality continues to increase. Those in the top 20 percent earn 80 percent of all income. The top 1 percent earn 24 percent of total income.

So-called "free trade" has resulted in the destruction of the American middle class while at the same time fueling obscene levels of corporate profit and unemployment.

More then 400 years ago our ancestors fled an economic system in Europe of hereditary wealth and indentured servitude.

Why doesn't the Democratic Party, the so-called hero of the common man, continuously and loudly repeat this message?

Why don't the media continuously and loudly repeat this message?

John Kennedy said, "Those who make peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable."

John Malenchek

Lexington

Send out the clowns

Your July 28 edition showed an interesting picture of several "essential" federal employees dressed as clowns. They were protesting a possible reduction in the size of federal employment staffs.

If they are so "essential," how did they have time to go outside and protest? Looks like we do have too many "essential" people.

Stephen Stinson

Lexington

Taxes and recessions

We as a country have suffered 12 major recessions in the past 100 years — recessions defined as lasting more than one year and not war-related.

All of the recessions were direct results of Republican polices and tax cuts. This includes the Great Depression and the great recession of 2008.

In these 100 years tax cuts have cost millions of jobs. Never have tax increases killed jobs in this country. To the contrary, jobs were created.

Many of us believe that taxes below the ability for the government to pay its bills make the government borrow money. In turn, the rich and very rich and others loan the government money at high interest rates and are tax free. And that's been going on for 100 years.

Proof positive. Andrew Samwick, chief economist under George W. Bush, said, tax cuts do not create jobs. The vice chairman of the Federal Reserve said, "There is no such thing as job-killing spending."

Tax cuts do not create jobs. Enough already with lies and half truths.

Earl Taylor

Clay City

Striking fear

What is wrong with President Barack Obama? My parents and others who are elderly live in fear of not having their Social Security.

These people are the ones who worked and paid into our government for programs such as food stamps.

My parents worked their whole lives paying for everything we have now. Without people like our veterans we would not have what we do now.

This is how you thank them? Their own government threatening them and their peace of mind to live? How dare you all let our government bully?

I saw and heard the fear in many who rely on their Social Security that they paid for. Worked all their lives in America and some gave their lives so we could live in freedom. Is this what you call freedom — fear?

My hope in government is our governor, who is one of the people in Kentucky who really does care. Something has to change to help protect our veterans and elderly. State Sen. Kathy Stein, I depend on you, also.

Lisa Johnson

Lexington

Let public be heard

I am ashamed to say that I haven't until now written and expressed my sadness concerning the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources' proposal to allow the hunting of sandhill cranes in Kentucky.

I have, however, read plenty. For months now I have read letter after letter against hunting these magnificent birds. There were even some hunters who wrote in against the hunt.

Having read some of the opinions, I have come to appreciate even more the magnificent beauty of these creatures. These birds mate for life. This alone is amazing. They show obvious distress when their mate is killed.

Couldn't we gain much more from just watching these creatures — even better, couldn't we learn from them?

It seems to me that the number of people who see no reason to hunt these creatures is clearly greater than the handful that requested to hunt them. It seems as if the public, that has so passionately expressed its dislike for this decision, does not matter.

I cannot remember a time that I have read so many letters expressing the same opinion about a subject.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission voted in January to delay a proposal to hunt cranes for two years to allow sufficient time to collect more information, including public input.

If the decision in Kentucky was based on public opinion, these magnificent birds could continue to have a safe migration route, just as they have for nearly a century.

Marla Fister

Lexington

Saving the crane

From the number of letters regarding the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources' decision to enact a sandhill crane season, this is obviously an emotional topic for many in the region.

For those opposed to the season, my suggestion is that you put your money where your mouth is.

At least for the three-year trial period, the number of crane permits is to be limited to 400 per year, and those will be chosen by lottery as with the current elk permits. Those seeking a permit must buy into the lottery for a chance at winning one.

Once the permit is awarded, the winner may choose to hunt cranes with a camera instead of a shotgun, or if they wish, ignore the season entirely.

All permit lottery and license fees support the KDFWR's mission and activities which have been vital in restoring and maintaining many wildlife populations in Kentucky.

For those out there opposed to all hunting this will not satisfy; there will always be those of us who hunt for sustenance and sport.

But for those of you opposed to this particular season, buy a permit, photograph a living crane and support wildlife conservation in the great state of Kentucky.

William Burke

Versailles

It's all connected

Regarding the sandhill crane hunt I would like to quote Chief Seattle because he says it all.

"What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, man would die from a great loneliness of spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts, soon happens to man. All things are connected."

Wise saying. Please think about it.

Paula Mulkins

Frankfort

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